Surname Knacke - Meaning and Origin
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Knacke: What does the surname Knacke mean?
The last name Knacke is a German surname derived from the Old High German word knac, meaning a nail, peg, or pin. The name signifies someone who was a maker or trader of such items, implying an occupation as a nailmaker or blacksmith. The name may also have been derived from the Middle High German word knache, meaning a harp or a fiddle, implying an occupation as a musician or stringed-instrument maker.
The earliest documented use of the name dates back to 1590 in the Bremen Taxation records, where it was spelled as Knach and Knacke. By the 16th century, the spelling of the name had altered and was used in many areas of Germany. Knacke has spread across the globe, with an especially large presence in the American states of Wisconsin and Illinois.
Roughly translated, the name Knacke means either "maker of nails" or "maker of musical or stringed instruments," depending on the source of origin. Nowadays, the name Knacke is mainly associated with a person from Germany or of German descent.
Regardless of origin, the name Knacke invokes a feeling of connection to history and tradition and is a unique and interesting identifier to hold.
Order DNA origin analysisKnacke: Where does the name Knacke come from?
The last name Knacke is primarily a German surname, used by families of German descent today. It is most commonly found in regions of Germany, as well as other countries populated with German ancestry, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Germany, many Knacke families live in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, as well as the greater metropolitan areas of Hamburg and Berlin. Despite its predominately German origin, the last name Knacke can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Mexico and Brazil.
According to surname statistics, Knacke is currently the 33,851st most common surname in the world. It is estimated that there are between 1,200-1,400 individuals with the last name Knacke in the United States, making it among the rarer German surnames in the country. In the 2019 United States census, Knacke was the 24,876th most common surname and was most highly concentrated in the Midwest region of the country.
The origin of the last name Knacke is derived from the Old German word “Knacken,” which has various meanings, such as “strike,” “crack,” or “creak.” It is believed that the name refers to a profession of someone who strikes or works with metal, such as a blacksmith. The name is recorded in various German bearers throughout the centuries and can be traced back to the early Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Knacke
The surname Knacke has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Knack, Knak, Knackh, Knacken, Knachen, Knackewitz, Knackl, Knackmann, Knackmeier, and Knacks.
Knack is a variation of the original surname Knacke and is sometimes used interchangeably. It derives from the personal name “Knacki,” which was popular in Germany during the Middle Ages. People with the Knack surname usually have either German or Danish lineage.
Knak is another variant of Knacke and is used mainly in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse word “knaka,” which means “to crunch.” People with the Knak surname usually have Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish ancestry.
Knackh is another variant of Knacke and is mostly used in Germany. It is derived from the personal name “Knackhard,” which means “bold.” People with the Knackh surname usually have German roots.
Knacken is a variant of Knacke that is used mainly in Europe. It was derived from the German word “knacken,” which means “to crack.” People with the Knacken surname usually either have German or Dutch ancestry.
Knachen is another variation of the name and is used mainly in Germany. It is derived from the German word “knacken,” which means “to crack.” People with the Knachen surname usually have German roots.
Knackwitz, Knackl, Knackmann, Knackmeier, and Knacks are all variations of the original surname Knacke and are used mainly in Germany. They derive from various German words, such as “knackig” (crunchy) and “knackwurst” (sausage). People with these surnames usually have German ancestry.
Famous people with the name Knacke
- Sibylle Knacke: German actress
- Cora Knacke: American spiritualist, lecturer, and author
- Debbie Knacke: American writer and political historian
- Heinz Knacke: German former footballer
- Paula Knacke: German field hockey player
- Julius Knacke: German chess player
- Helmut Knacke: German diplomat
- Karel Knacke: Czech sculptor
- Arne Knacke: Swedish playwright
- Luka Knacke: German basketball player
- Horst Knacke: German former figure skater